Ooops, My post just now was meant for Victoria, not Suzanne. I apologize. Ruth Schimel www.ruthschimel.com

Suzanne - Although I’m not very familiar with employment norms in the UK, I sense things are a little less flexible in your country. So take what’s useful from what I suggest below about your career change to be and leave the rest. To avoid being overwhelmed by things to do, just choose one or two suggestions that suit you and your priorities to start. Of course, adapt anything you choose to your situation. - Start networking in professional, social and neighborhood organizations where you’ll meet new people you’re likely to enjoy. Much of moving into a new area involves developing new relationships. If you tend to be introverted, seek situations where groups are small and welcoming or where you can easily have one on one conversations. When you meet a pleasant person who seems to appreciate your interests and capacities, follow up with an invitation for a meal or mutually interesting activity. Be alert to what you can do for others that match their interests, but avoid tiring yourself out with serving others. - Consider the groups and memberships you have now for sources of connections. Perhaps use your time more effectively if they don’t serve your career goal by letting go of those activities and adding new, more relevant ones. - Let people know of your interests and skills, not with a laundry list, but perhaps a short story of no more than a few minutes that’s engaging. - Do volunteer projects related to event planning at work or on your own time. That will help with connections and provide experience for show and tell. - Review all your transferable skills (e.g. communicating, organizing) to remind yourself and be ready to share with others how your capacities match what you want to do. - Look for a certificate program or even one course related to event planning; you’ll test your knowledge and meet people, maybe just the teacher, with whom you can explore your ideas. - Write up a short description of your dream, as specifically as possible. Then create a time line for yourself with regular, manageable, concrete actions. Reward yourself for any progress. Assume your transition could take at a minimum a few years unless luck comes along. But luck generally favors the prepared person. - If you like to write, look for ways to get published on your subject with a short article or letter to the editor in local publications. - Brainstorm with friends to hear others’ perspective and let them understand your goal. - Put your concern about being 53 in storage, if you can. All you have is what’s ahead. You can’t reverse age but you can take care of yourself by honoring your goals, staying socially connected, presenting yourself well and continuing to learn. I’m in my third, fourth and fifth careers concurrently (they’re complementary and I want to make haste on things that are important to me) and am older than you. I’m sending you hope and optimism, all to be strengthened by your own smart actions. Ruth Schimel www.ruthschimel.com